Passing on the wisdom

wandering_star

So, final years, what have your years in UCD taught you?

Now I'm not talking about degrees or masters or any of that jazz, I'm talking about the important stuff-money, food, drink, members of the opposite sex, having fun, how to get by with minimum effort and minimum cash in uni.

What street-wise info can you pass onto the young-uns of today? What would you have wanted to know, back in the day?

There's some info that just goes without saying-like, don't eat in the restaurant.Ever.

But some stuff the kids of today might not have picked up on yet, so, unlike admin (I'm talking UCD admin here not boards admin), let's do something productive and helpful.

Stepherunie

The unplanned nights are the best.

Getting involved in a society is probably the best thing you can do in college.

Life does not end if you fail an exam, you can repeat and it'll be fine.

21sts are an inevitability, if you travel for one, that's present enough.

If it's a big night in the student bar and you're a girl, tissue in your pocket.

In response to what I was told in first year and no offence to the nice ones, you can do better than some Zaga boys.


Oh and the most important thing I've learnt; you can't escape who you are by going to a college where no one knows you, you just learn to accept that that's who you are, and find people who'll like you for that.

papajimsmooth

Whats wrong with the restaurant?

princess-sprkle

Don't score people from your class on drunken nights in the bar, hilarious at the time, not so hilarious after.

also, get involved and do stuff. even if its just going to stuff, you'll meet loads of people that way.

don't stress out too much, many of my greatest essays have been done night before/morning of.

all in all, avoid the dickheads, make some amazing friends and enjoy yourself!!

i'll miss ucd who'd have thought?!

Stepherunie

princess-sprkle wrote: »

Don't score people from your class on drunken nights in the bar, hilarious at the time, not so hilarious after.

I really wish someone had told me that one too.

phantomwolf

Try and get involved and talk to as many people as possible you will find some amazing people in the oddest of places. I didnt do any sports or societies in the 4 years, I blamed having to travel hour and half to get home, but now I regret it. Ignore people going on about how **** some aspects of UCD are, its a brilliant place.

So my advice.... move away from home..... it will open up so much more for you. I should know, Im 21 and living at home:mad:

Goodbye UCD, will miss u I have no doubt!

pretty*monster

Sucking up is never a bad idea.

Don't mix your drinks.

If you're nice you don't have to be good.

Make friends with someone who will go to all the casses and take ood notes and not mind sharing them around.

Make friends with someone who will be able to figure out all the admin stuff and tell you what you'll need to know about where this office is and what the proceedure for that is (I was this person in my group of friends).

Sneaking soft drinks into the bar to mix with your spirits is a money saver that's less hassel than sneaking in the spirits themselves.

Any evening on campsus there is something going on that involves free wine. Keep your ear to the ground and the world is your oyster.

If you don't live close to campus get yourself a locker, you can live out of that for a while, believe me.

Before buying a book it's worth asking yourself, would it in fact vbe cheeper to just photocopy the relevant sections.

Societies are the best way to make friends and it's never too late to get involved.

Get to know at least some incoming first years every year. It'll keep you young (and ensure that there's still peopole around that you know should you end up extending your time).

breadmonkey

If you think you are being screwed over by your department, argue with them incessantly and they'll cave most of the time.

pretty*monster

princess-sprkle wrote: »

Don't score people from your class on drunken nights in the bar, hilarious at the time, not so hilarious after.

Are you kidding me? I spent most of my undergrad (and as I type this, I realise also some of my post-grad) kissing my classmates down the bar. One of the most valuable lessons college has taught me is how not to feel even slightly awkward around people I've scored.

Pride Fighter

pretty*monster wrote: »

Sucking up is never a bad idea.

Don't mix your drinks.

If you're nice you don't have to be good.

Make friends with someone who will go to all the casses and take ood notes and not mind sharing them around.

Make friends with someone who will be able to figure out all the admin stuff and tell you what you'll need to know about where this office is and what the proceedure for that is (I was this person in my group of friends).

Sneaking soft drinks into the bar to mix with your spirits is a money saver that's less hassel than sneaking in the spirits themselves.

Any evening on campsus there is something going on that involves free wine. Keep your ear to the ground and the world is your oyster.

If you don't live close to campus get yourself a locker, you can live out of that for a while, believe me.

Before buying a book it's worth asking yourself, would it in fact vbe cheeper to just photocopy the relevant sections.

Societies are the best way to make friends and it's never too late to get involved.

Get to know at least some incoming first years every year. It'll keep you young (and ensure that there's still peopole around that you know should you end up extending your time).

Not only that most nights there are free sambo's and chicken wings and stuff like that if you know where to look. I'd add dont get penalised for late assignments, hand them in on time if you can.

stolenwine

With regards to campus food I think dust is your only option http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzqFHEi2VZc

Otherwise Don't drink the lake water. Don't leave your bike, laptop, precious family heir loom unattended. Don't be dared to do anything by someone who has a popped collar(s). Don't leave it to the last minute to submit your assignments that's when there's a queue in Daedalus and everyone decides to check their bebo. Don't try to understand the method in the administration madness.

Goodluck2me

enjoy every minute of it
go out as often as possible, with as different a crowd as possible, to different places.
Don't confine yourself to your school friends
Do as many J1's as possible
Never worry about exams, but do cram near the end, it helps.
Befriend someone with good notes
Ask her out
Dont resent the student bar, embrace it!
Watch someone else jump in the lake at least once
Be nice to those around you, and dont accept anything else yourself.
Join a society and a club if possible - NB.
Enjoy every minute of it.

phantomwolf

ok now i really feel old... at least im doing my first J1 in a few weeks

Pharm07

Stepherunie wrote: »

The unplanned nights are the best.

Getting involved in a society is probably the best thing you can do in college.

Life does not end if you fail an exam, you can repeat and it'll be fine.

21sts are an inevitability, if you travel for one, that's present enough.

If it's a big night in the student bar and you're a girl, tissue in your pocket.

In response to what I was told in first year and no offence to the nice ones, you can do better than some Zaga boys.


Oh and the most important thing I've learnt; you can't escape who you are by going to a college where no one knows you, you just learn to accept that that's who you are, and find people who'll like you for that.

I wish i had of kown that sooner. travelled two hours to the place, got her a really good (and expensive) present, stayed in a B&B that was also expensive AND didnt even get any food or cake!
All i got in return was a **** happy birthday text the cheap bitch!

Im not all all resentful...:rolleyes:

In all honesty, really pissed at her and i'll never forget it. :mad:

Oh and i really like your last point steph. absolutely 100% true.

Red Alert

Stepherunie wrote: »

you can do better than some Zaga boys.

You obviously just scored some pretend zaga boys who weren't the real thing!

Stepherunie

Nope, innocent of that charge.

I was informed, and I quote 'you'll never do better than me, I went to Zaga' when i turned him down thanking you

With that kind of attitude, any guy would be better than him.

hence my point.....

mac123

Red Alert wrote: »

You obviously just scored some pretend zaga boys who weren't the real thing!

wtf is a zaga boy???

bassman22

Join a club or society and get involved in the committee

Do a J1

Vorsprung

Stepherunie wrote: »

I was informed, and I quote 'you'll never do better than me, I went to Zaga'

yea, what's your point, love!?!?!

:pac::pac::pac:

Pride Fighter

mac123 wrote: »

wtf is a zaga boy???

I'm guessing its a D4 tosser who went to Gonzaga college but I am open for correction on this.:)

gerry87

The higher the floor in the arts block, the cleaner the toilets.

tribulus

The science block has numerous crawl spaces above the lecture theaters if you're creative and agile....and a bit mad.

Edit: Actually it's only Theater A that I know of.

Blut

Do all your essays on time. Its pretty much impossible to fail (in arts anyway) if youve done every assignment and handed them in on time.

Dont believe any of your friends who live on campus who assure you 'bring her back to my place, the couch is GRAND nobody will disturb you youll deffo get laid' you wont. No matter how many times with how many different girls it ends up happening! Also, on a slightly related note the SU are great for getting loads of free condoms.

Dont do electives that sound 'interesting', do ones you know are easy.

4 years in belfield and those are my 3 most important lessons, listen up y'all...

simonrooneyzaga

Stepherunie wrote: »

The unplanned nights are the best.

Getting involved in a society is probably the best thing you can do in college.

Life does not end if you fail an exam, you can repeat and it'll be fine.

21sts are an inevitability, if you travel for one, that's present enough.

If it's a big night in the student bar and you're a girl, tissue in your pocket.

In response to what I was told in first year and no offence to the nice ones, you can do better than some Zaga boys.


Oh and the most important thing I've learnt; you can't escape who you are by going to a college where no one knows you, you just learn to accept that that's who you are, and find people who'll like you for that.

Outrageous generalization - every school has its dickheads but its a bit mad to tar some of us with the same brush - 90% of zaga lads head to UCD every year... So say for the sake of it everyone does 3 year courses. This means that there are 250 + Gonzaga past pupils in UCD!

One lad said that to you!

And i'd like to remind Pride Fighter that Gonzaga is in D6, so all the d4 stereotypes go out the window - The Chess jabs are far easier to hit us with..

Stepherunie

That's why I said SOME.

I've also met some lovely Zaga boys, but guys like that, you can do better then.

Hence why I didn't tar them all with the same brush....

simonrooneyzaga

oh... and - no matter what year you're in, always hit the first years. :pac::pac:

tribulus

Blut wrote: »

Dont do electives that sound 'interesting', do ones you know are easy.

Very true, I did beginners Spanish and Chinese.

simonrooneyzaga

could be a good thread... "Piss easy modules" with 100% essays and the likes...

tribulus

simonrooneyzaga wrote: »

could be a good thread... "Piss easy modules" with 100% essays and the likes...

It would probably just turn into another debate about people not going to college to deepen their understanding of a subject etc.

simonrooneyzaga

tribulus wrote: »

It would probably just turn into another debate about people not going to college to deepen their understanding of a subject etc.

YAWN!

simonrooneyzaga

Stepherunie wrote: »

That's why I said SOME.

I've also met some lovely Zaga boys, but guys like that, you can do better then.

Hence why I didn't tar them all with the same brush....

I said you tarred some of them with the same brush.

some is more than one...

So the fact that he is a 'Zaga Boy' is irrelevant.

Riamfada

Grimes words of wisdom, dont get involved in anything. kepp your head down and your fly up ... so to speak

Stepherunie

simonrooneyzaga wrote: »

I said you tarred some of them with the same brush.

some is more than one...


So the fact that he is a 'Zaga Boy' is irrelevant.

Man jokes fly like lead balloons these days....

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Stepherunie wrote: »

Man jokes fly like lead balloons these days....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZSkM-QEeUg :pac:

arbeitsscheuer

Grimes wrote: »

Grimes words of wisdom, dont get involved in anything. kepp your head down and your fly up ... so to speak

My advice would be the opposite to this; get involved in loadsa stuff from the very start, my one regret from 5 years in UCD is that I didn't start writing stuff for the Tribune til the last 3 months of my stay and it was the most fun I had here.

Having said that, I appreciate what Grimes means; don't get too involved in societal stuff when you're in final year. In short; get a taste of everything but don't bite off more than you can chew!:D

As for anyone who will be doing an MA or PHD, I think this strip from PHD Comics contains all that needs to be said.

mloc

Yes, you are here to actually learn from time to time. It's no big deal, just don't be suprised when you hear you have exams.

You only do as much work as you want to.

You can go out 7 - minus the year you are in times a week and get away with it. This includes repeats.

Score whoever you want; there no such thing as awkward situations, only awkward people (yes that also works as a chat up line... I'm told)

Yes, there are tunnels. They are dirty and they have hot pipes in them. They aren't worth it.

Yes, last year WAS better. It always will be. Enjoy this year and don't worry about next year.

And most importantly:

You don't know someone until you know someone: if they're from Dublin 4 they're not neccessarily all pricks, if they're from Cork they don't neccessarily live on a farm and can't speak english: keep an open mind and you'll meet more people and have a better time doing crazy things you never thought you would.

simonrooneyzaga

Stepherunie wrote: »

Man jokes fly like lead balloons these days....

there was no joke there steph, just pointing out your mistake

The_Minister

Use and abuse first year like nothing else.
You will never, ever get to have as much free time as 1st year in college.

Don't get too involved in the union. It's nice, and you meet people from all courses, but it is too difficult to trust the people you meet there.

Don't hold back with the opposite sex (or the same sex;)). It will not suddenly get easier next year or next semester. Just do it.

Tom65

Blut wrote: »

Dont do electives that sound 'interesting', do ones you know are easy.

I came on here to post that very gem of wisdom. Never, ever do something because it sounds interesting. Rate them firstly in terms of ease, then interest.

Pharm07

get to love coffee (or lucozade). you mite need it for the cramming!

Jonny Arson

papajimsmooth wrote: »

Whats wrong with the restaurant?

what's NOT wrong with restaurant!?

after eating there the resulting effects are as spectacular as what you see in the annual Iron Stomach competition

PennyLane

The restaurant's salad bar is quite good, though, and has been quite safe in my experience.

pretty*monster

The resaurant does a nice greasy breakfast.

simonrooneyzaga

pretty*monster wrote: »

The resaurant does a nice greasy breakfast.

have to agree with that... the hash browns are phenomenal

chickenhawk

I graduated last year and my only advice is to repeat a couple of years cause you'll never have it so easy!!!:D

simonrooneyzaga

chickenhawk wrote: »

I graduated last year and my only advice is to repeat a couple of years cause you'll never have it so easy!!!:D

yeh but your out 4 grand a pop for every extra year!

chickenhawk

Is it four grand? I remember repeating one subject in first year (i mean I took a whole extra year for one easy arts subject!!) and I had 10 hours a week or something. As far as I remember I only got in the fortys for the end of year exams as well. Got a 2-1 in the end so happy days.

princess-sprkle

bumping!

promised myself I'd talk to hot politics boy before i left, I did not.

make your moves kids

Stepherunie

princess-sprkle wrote: »

bumping!

promised myself I'd talk to hot politics boy before i left, I did not.

make your moves kids

Concur!!!!!!!!!!!

Four years of placement in Beaumont - never said hello to McSwooney (yes, it was greys anatomy inspired).

gubbie

Its not what you did that you regret, its what you didn't do

Unless you killed someone. Thats going nowhere but down

Het-Field

Run for SU President without a hope in hell of winning

Defect from Ogra Fianna Fail to the Young PDs as you final act in College Society Land, and indeed your final act in UCD beside your Finals

Become U.S.I Postgraduate Officer without knowing that it will be detrimental to your mental health

Sit on the Arts Block Wall with some of the best people you are likely to meet

Get the First Proper Metal Band to play in the student Bar in Years

Join a Sports Club (UCD Mens Hockey Club was mine). It allowed me have a clandestine life besides involvement elsewhere. Plus you get to have a go at Trinity College's inability to play sports for one magical day of the year, before going on the lock with them.

Never fear about the last bus. The 7 mile walk will be worth the evening in the Fourm Bar which you just had.

Embrace the Left Wing Elements of the University. Without the likes of Ciaran Allen and the SWP you would have nothing to compare your ideas against.

And finally, remember the cold hard fact that you cant have a good a time as I had because of modularisation ! Unless you dont do lectures, and repeat all of the above !